A compelling novel about speaking out, standing up, and breaking free — perfect for fans of The Handmaid’s Tale and Tara Westover’s Educated.Miriam lives in New Jerusalem, a haven in the desert far away from the sins and depravity of the outside world. Within the gates of New Jerusalem, and under the eye of its founder and leader, Daniel, Miriam knows she is safe. Cared for. Even if she’s … Cared for. Even if she’s forced, as a girl, to quiet her tongue when she has thoughts she wants to share, Miriam knows that New Jerusalem is a far better life than any alternative. So when God calls for a Matrimony, she’s thrilled; she knows that Caleb, the boy she loves, will choose her to be his wife and they can finally start their life together.
But when the ceremony goes wrong and Miriam winds up with someone else, she can no longer keep quiet. For the first time, Miriam begins to question not only the rules that Daniel has set in place, but also what it is she believes in, and where she truly belongs.
Alongside unexpected allies, Miriam fights to learn–and challenge–the truth behind the only way of life she’s ever known, even if it means straying from the path of Righteousness.
A compelling debut novel about speaking out, standing up, and breaking free.
Praise for The Virtue of Sin:
“Shannon Schuren weaves a complex tale of love, faith, and lies in her thought-provoking debut The Virtue of Sin. As important as it is entertaining, this is a must-read for anyone who knows that independent thought trumps fitting in. One of my favorite reads of the year.” –Christina Dalcher, bestselling author of VOX
“Schuren beautifully captures the breathlessness of both first love, and first rebellion, in this engrossing, timely book. Part page-turning drama, part romance, the novel is above all an exploration of the ways repression can damage the soul–and what it takes to rise above it.” –Jennifer Donaldson, critically acclaimed author of Lies You Never Told Me
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Shannon Schuren weaves a complex tale of love, faith, and lies in her thought-provoking debut The Virtue of Sin. As important as it is entertaining, this is a must-read for anyone who knows that independent thought trumps fitting in. One of my favorite reads of the year.
Would you blindly follow?
Would you do whatever the leader asks?
Would you go against your own heart?
Would you perpetrate a lie for the betterment of the community?
Now ask yourself, why would someone answer yes to these?
Daniel is the leader of New Jerusalem, a religious community practically cut off from the outside world. Members of the community are expected to adhere to his strict rules, rules that prevent boys and girls from speaking to each other or having contact, rules requiring dream journals, rules meant to discourage independent thought. Unfortunately for Daniel, some independent thought and ideas are about to make their way into New Jerusalem, beginning with the Marriage Cave.
Shannon Schuren has me hooked within the first chapter, and she never let go. I love the way the story is told, switching between Caleb and Miriam as narrators. Her character development is incredibly deep—Aaron is my favorite—often leaving me with the desire to “knock some sense” into them because I wanted better for them. The story itself is brilliant, a true page-turner, that did not disappoint.
If you like anything having to do with cults and reprogramming, or just a thrilling, fast-paced but satisfying book, be sure to grab a copy of The Virtue of Sin of June 25th!
Thank you to Philomel Books and Penguin Random House, Shannon Schuren, and BookishFirst for an Advanced Readers Copy of The Virtue of Sin for an honest review.
I thought at first from the blurb that this would be Dystopian, but it’s about a cult, the lengths a person in power will go to keep their followers in line and the sheer delusion of those trapped on the inside.
New Jerusalem sits out in the desert in California, set apart from the rest of the world, the inhabitants live a very secluded lifestyle. No reading, no tv, no music, no singing, women are kept repressed, encouraged not to speak, the focus of learning is on scripture and Daniel’s interpretation of scripture, how he applies it to his followers and their lives.
Miriam is a second generation member, her mother was with Daniel when New Jerusalem was formed. She sometimes questions why certain things are the way they are, but she isn’t supposed to. Her mother is very tight-lipped when it comes to revealing her past, her life on what they call “the outside”, something she’s not supposed to talk about. But Miriam is a bit headstrong, and sometimes she’s able to get her mother to open up about certain things. But this is her way of life, and she’s a devout follower, most of the time. Until her day of Matrimony when she weds the foreigner and not the man she thought she would, Caleb. Her new husband, Aaron, isn’t all about the rules, and his ideas might just chip away at Miriam’s beliefs.
There were times in reading that I cheered Miriam on, for doubting what she’s been told, for wanting more, for questioning things she thought she knew. Then other times I just wanted to hit her for her blind regurgitation of Daniel’s words. It’s easy from the outside to judge and say Miriam should have known, she should have just believed Aaron because he knew the world “outside.” But the level of brainwashing that happened here (and in cults such as this) is unimaginable. The new generation was born into this cult and being cut off from the outside world, they don’t know any better, they have no way to know any better.
I enjoyed both Miriam and Aaron’s characters, much more so than Caleb. But I think that was because Miriam already had her doubts, so it made it easier for her to trust in Aaron, whereas Caleb scared me towards the end with how strong his faith was after everything he had seen. The Virtue of Sin is well-written, it’s an engaging story with wonderful characters, a good read.